Floor polishes particularly receptive to high speed and very high speed spray or dry buffing

ABSTRACT

The method of producing a toughened, mar-resistant floor film includes the steps: 
     (a) applying to the floor surface a polish containing a cross-linking agent selected from the group that consists essentially of methylated melamine and sodium benzoate, and 
     (b) dry buffing said surface to heat the polish and surface and produce cross-linking of the cross-linking agent within the film and with the floor surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This is a division of application Ser. No. 548,629, filed Nov. 4, 1983, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,815, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 319,634, filed Nov. 9, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,360 which is a division of Ser. No. 253,300, filed Apr. 3, 1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,235.

This invention relates generally to treatment of polished and unpolished floor surfaces, and more particularly concerns the production of an improved film surface on floors.

There is continuing need for mar-resistant, tough, floor film surfaces produced as by buffing and characterized by extension of in-service life coupled with reduction in the frequency of required dry buffing, spray buffing or polish application (as compared to conventional polishes and spray buffing products).

In conventional floor polishing, metallized, as for example zinc, cross-linking occurs during the drying stages of the film, or shortly thereafter; however, once such cross-linking takes place, it cannot be altered or aided until stripping of the film, as for example when zinc-derived cross-linking is broken down by the presence of ammonia or amine in the stripping solution. Until the advent of the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,835, it was not possible to increase or induce further cross-linking in an already dried and trafficked film.

The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,835 concerns the incorporation of a non-metallic cross-linking ingredient (i.e., methylated melamine or sodium benzoate) into a composition sprayed onto a floor surface (in-service film, for example) and then spray buffed into the film to dryness, the heat generated by wet buffing inducing cross-linking within the film via oxygen bridging, thereby to toughen the film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the present invention to incorporate the non-metallic cross-linking agent (methylated melamine or sodium benzoate) directly into a floor polish to induce cross-linking in response to dry or wet buffing. Cross-linking is achieved in the in-service film by virtue of the presence of the cross-linker in the polish product and frictional heat derived from the power driven floor cleaning and polishing pad. Ultra high speed, or high speed buffing produces the beneficial effects described below faster than conventional speed buffing units and procedures, but the composition gives improved benefits, even while using conventional procedures. An overall benefit is the extension of the service life of the in-service film coupled with overall improved performance during its life and a reduction in the frequency of needed wet or dry buffings. Polishing of uncoated resilient as well as non-resilient floor surfaces, e.g., vinyl asbestos, vinyl, asphalt, rubber, linoleum, and in the masonry family terrazzo, marble, clays, etc., is also possible with the invention. Observed improvements as regards improved performance and extension of service life compared to films not containing the subject cross-linking agents are listed as follows:

(a) film toughening as evidenced by improved scuff and scratch resistance,

(b) improved detergent and water resistance

(c) improved powdering resistance

(d) improved heel mark resistance

(e) improved overall gloss

In addition, it is found that it is possible to overcoat the buffed film of the invention with additional coats of floor finish, thereby upgrading gloss still further, but more importantly thereby providing fresh cross-linking sites on the floor.

The described polish composition contains polymeric ingredients in the family of floor finish ingredients. The preferred non-metallic cross-linking agents may also be incorporated into other basic types of polishes, water-emulsion, wax-based products, with and without solvent fractions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide for the spray application onto the buffed film, derived from the polish, of a liquid solution containing additional non-metallic cross-linking ingredient, and buffing the polished floor surface with the sprayed-on solution thereon, to produce still further cross-linking with the film surface, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,313,835.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an elevation showing spray buffing of an applied formulation, in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 2-4 are further views like FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, and as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,835, a layer of in-service floor finish 10 is shown on floor 11, layer 10 for example consisting of a conventional polished finish such as polymeric finish or floor wax, which was previously applied to the floor. In order to produce the tough, and more mar-resistant floor film, in accordance with the invention, a liquid solution is applied to the layer 10, as by spraying the solution downwardly into the air, as at 12, above the layer 10, so that solution droplets collect on the layer 10 as at 13. The solution contains an ingredient capable of producing cross-linking (as by oxygen group bridging) of layer 10, and in instances of uncoated flooring the surface at 11, in response to heat produced as a result of high speed buffing of the solution droplets on layer 10 or surface 11. Such heat is produced by frictional rubbing of the abrasive or non-abrasive buffing pad 14 on layer 10 to which the solution droplets have been applied, as by spraying. A rotor carrying the pad is indicated at 15, and the high speed rotary drive for the rotor is indicated at 16. As the rotor is rotated, it is traveled over the droplet area, as shown by arrow 17. Pad 14 typically consists of non-woven fiber and resinous binder in which abrasive particles may or may not be distributed, and having exposed edges that rub against the solid surfaces layer 10 to produce heat as the rotor rotates, as for example at speeds of and in excess of 1,000 rpm. The resultant tough film is shown at 13a, cross-linked with layer 10.

The liquid solution ranging in total solids from 2% to 40% consists essentially of:

    ______________________________________                                                          Range of Preferred wt.                                                         wt percent                                                                              percent                                              ______________________________________                                              Ingredient                                                                (a)  water emulsion acrylic,                                                                           5.0-90.0% about 39%                                         styrene acrylic, vinyl                                                         acetate-acrylic, etc.                                                          polymer (typically at                                                          34-36%)                                                                   (b)  water soluble solvent                                                                            0.5-6.0%   about 4%                                     (c)  non-ionic surfactant                                                                             0.1-2.0%   about 1%                                     (d)  volatile amine    0.1-3.0%   about 1%                                     (e)  humectant         0.1-4.0%   about 2%                                     (f)  cross-linking agent                                                                               0.1-10.0% 1.5-4.0%                                          selected from group that                                                       includes methylated                                                            melamine and sodium                                                            benzoate                                                                  (g)  ammonia           0.1-2.0%   about 1%                                     (h)  water             balance    balance                                           Optional Ingredients                                                      (i)  anionic or nonionic wax                                                                           0-16%     about 6%                                          or polyolefin emulsion at                                                      typical solids of 16.0% or                                                     polyethylene latex, e.g.,                                                      Poly-Ems.                                                                 (j)  Resin Fractions-solubilized                                                                       0-25%     about 10%                                         at typical solids of 16%                                                       Rosin-based resins                                                             Styrene maleic anhydrides                                                      Styrene acrylic acid resins                                                    Pentaerythritol-based resins                                                   Alkyd based resins                                                        ______________________________________                                    

Among suitable wax and polyolefin materials are waxes and mixtures of waxes of vegetable, animal or synthetic origin including carnauba, candelilla, montan, lanolin, cocoa butter, cottonseed, stearin, Japan, bayberry, myrtle, mace, palm kernel, beeswax, spermaceti, Chinese insect, tallow among the natural waxes and Fischer-Tropsch and hydrogenated coconut and soybean oil waxes among the synthetic waxes, as well as emulsifiable polyolefin waxes, particularly of olefin monomers having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, i.e. ethylene and propylene in major proportion. Ethylene-and propylene-acid copolymers are also suitable, as are paraffin and microcrystalline waxes, both oxidized and unoxidized, ceresin and ozokerite waxes.

"Waxes" include polyolefins of low, medium and high molecular weight which are emulsifiable e.g. from waxes to high polymers or are supplied as latexes, etc. Poly-Em products.

Suitable resin fractions are identified in (j) above.

If the cross-linking agent is methylated melamine, its weight percent is typically about 4.0; whereas if the cross-linking agent is sodium benzoate, its weight percent is typically about 1.5. Further, the solution preferably also includes a small amount of ammonia, i.e. about 0.60 weight percent when the cross-linking agent consists of the melamine, and about 0.25 when the cross-linking agent consists of sodium benzoate. In either case, the water soluble solvent preferably consists of glycol ether; the surfactant preferably consists of nonylphenoxy poly-(ethyleneoxy) ethanol; the volatile amine preferably consists of 2-Amino, 2-Methyl Propanol-1, and the humectant preferably consists of ethylene glycol. Cross-linking between oxygen groups such as OH⁻ and COOH⁻ is believed to occur at buffing temperatures in excess of 120° F., and preferably in excess of 150° F., i.e. 170°-180° F.

The ingredients and their functions in the solution composition are listed as follows:

    ______________________________________                                                             Function                                                   ______________________________________                                             Ingredient                                                                 1.  Water               (a)   Carrier                                                                  (b)   Diluent                                                                  (c)   Lesser cleaning agent                                                    (d)   Lubricant                                        2.  Plasticized or non-plasticized                                                                     (a)   Film forming agent                                   water-emulsion styrene polymers                                                                    (b)   Supplier of fresh                                    or copolymers of styrene- cross linking sites                                  acrylate-methacrylic acid or                                                                             in film                                              acrylate-methacrylic acid or                                                   vinyl acetate-acrylate-                                                        methacrylic acid-all with or with-                                             out zinc salt, or polish products                                              built around the above                                                         polymers (Where practical                                                      acrylic acid can also be substi-                                               tuted for the methacrylic acid                                                 shown above)                                                               3.  Surfactant                Cleaning agent                                   4.  Ammonia             (a)   Cleaning agent                                                           (b)   May serve also to                                                              "decross-link" the                                                             zinc cross linked                                                              carboxyls in the                                                               in-service film thereby                                                        freeing up acid groups                                                         for cross-linking with                                                         the melamine cross-                                                            linking agent                                    5.  Amine               (a)   As in 4a and 4b                                                          (b)   Catalyst and stabilizer                                                        for melamine                                                                   ingredient                                       6.  Humectant, e.g., ethylene glycol                                                                   (a)   Film emollient                                                           (b)   Film moisturizer                                                         (c)   Lesser cleaning agent                            7.  Water soluble solvent e.g.,                                                                        (a)   Coalescing agent for                                 glycol ethers             polymer                                                                  (b)   Penetrating agent                                                              component                                                                      (into in-service film)                                                   (c)   Lesser cleaning agent                                                    (d)   Cosolvent for                                                                  cross-linking agent                              8.  Cross-linking agent (a)   As disclosed herein                                  Optional Ingredients                                                       9.  Anionic or nonionic wax or                                                                         (a)   Aid to buffing ease                                  polyolefin emulsion or                                                                             (b)   Lubricant                                            polyolefin latex, e.g.,                                                                            (c)   Supplier of fresh                                    Poly-Ems                  cross-linking sites                              10. Resin solutions     (a)   Gloss contributor                                                        (b)   Film forming agent                                                       (c)   Supplier of fresh                                                              cross-linking sites                              ______________________________________                                    

Specific formula examples are listed as follows: (Examples 1 and 2 being preferred)

EXAMPLE 1

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             wt. percent                                             ______________________________________                                         PM-833 polymer (a product of                                                                          39.00                                                   Purex Corporation).sup.1                                                       Dipropylene glycol monomethyl                                                                         4.00                                                    ether (Ucar 2LM)                                                               Nonylphenoxy poly-(ethyleneoxy)                                                                       1.00                                                    ethanol (Igepal CO 630)                                                        2-Amino, 2-Methyl Propanol-1 (AMP)                                                                    1.00                                                    Ethylene glycol        2.00                                                    Methylated melamine    4.00                                                    Dye                    0.2     g/gal.                                          Formaldehyde (Preservative)                                                                           0.05                                                    Aqua Ammonia           0.60                                                    Soft water             Balance                                                 ______________________________________                                          .sup.1 Water emulsion, zinccontaining, styreneacrylate-methacrylic acid        copolymer.                                                               

EXAMPLE 2

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient             wt. percent                                             ______________________________________                                         PM-292 polymer a water-emulsion,                                                                      38.06                                                   styrene-acrylate-methacrylic                                                   acid copolymer with no zinc                                                    component, produced by Purex                                                   Corporation Carson, California                                                 Sodium benzoate        1.54                                                    Dipropylene glycol monomethyl                                                                         4.12                                                    ether (Ucar 2LM)                                                               Igepal CO 630          1.30                                                    2-Amino, 2-Methyl-Propanol-1 (AMP)                                                                    1.03                                                    Ethylene glycol        2.06                                                    Aqua Ammonia           0.25                                                    Soft water             balance                                                 ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLES 3 AND 4

    ______________________________________                                                           wt. percent                                                  Ingredient          Ext. 3   Ext. 4                                            ______________________________________                                         PM-292 polymer      36.96    36.96                                             Ucar 2LM            3.89     3.89                                              Igepal CO 630       1.00     1.00                                              AMP                 1.00     1.00                                              Dibutyl phthalate (plasticizer)                                                                    1.00     1.00                                              Ethylene glycol     2.00     2.00                                              Methylated melamine 3.89     3.89                                              Sodium benzoate     0.50     --                                                Aqua Ammonia        0.24     0.24                                              Poly-Em 40          --       4.75                                              Soft water          balance  balance                                           ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

    ______________________________________                                         Ingredient      wt. percent                                                    ______________________________________                                         PM-833 polymer  44.95                                                          Ucar 2LM        4.00                                                           Igepal CO 630   1.00                                                           AMP             1.00                                                           Ethylene glycol 2.00                                                           Sodium benzoate 1.50                                                           Soft water      balance                                                        ______________________________________                                    

FIG. 2 is the same as FIG. 1, except that a second application of solution 21 is shown as sprayed on completed film 13a, as referred to above. The collected droplets of solution 21 are buffed in the same manner as described above, to produce a tough film 21a cross-linked with film 13a, wherein 13a is further cross-linked. Solution 21 consists of any of the described formulas.

As an alternative and in accordance with the present invention, the non-metallic cross-linking agent is incorporated into polish applied (as by rubbing or spreading) onto a floor surface, and after drying is buffed at high speed, or very high speed to produce non-metallic cross-linking of the agent within the ingredients of the poish film. Layer 30 in FIG. 3 on surface 11, may represent such a polish application on surface 11, to be buffed by rotary pad 14, prior to possible subsequent after-traffic application of the spray 12 and buffing as described above, as in FIg. 1. Thus, spray application in many cases is not required, buffing of the polish layer alone being sufficient to produce the desired cross-linked, mar and scuff resistance improved surface. The resultant surface also has superior film gloss, particularly as to depth of gloss (clarity of reflected image) and better resistance to water when compared with prior film not having non-metallic cross-linking agent (as for example Morton AA-417-A-1, Rohm & Haas N-24-1, or Franklin TRIPLE LIFE).

As a further alternative, a layer 30 of polish containing the non-metallic cross-linking agent may be applied onto a previous applied layer 10 of a conventional polish finish such as polymeric finish or floor wax. The layer 30 of polish containing the cross-linking agent is then buffed at high rotary speed, as by rotary pad 14, to produce the desired mar and scuff resistant surface. See FIG. 4. Subsequently, it may be desirable to apply spray 12, and buff, as described above.

Representative formulations of polishes containing the non-metallic cross-linking agents are identified in the following table, in which formulas with numbers ending in "B, C and D" contain these added cross-linking agents (sodium benzoate, or melamine, or a combination thereof) and formulas with numbers ending in "A" contain no such cross-linking agents.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         #2072/40A: Morton's Formula AA-417-A-1 (No cross-linkers                       other than zinc)                                                               #2072/40B: Morton's Formula AA-417-A-1 + Sodium benzoate                       #2072/40C: Morton's Formula AA-417-A-1 + Melamine                              #2072/40D: Morton's Formula AA-417-A-1 + 50/50 Sodium                          benzoate/melamine                                                              #2072/41A: Rohm & Haas Formula N-24-1 (No cross-linkers other                  than zinc)                                                                     #2072/41B: Rohm & Haas Formula N-24-1 + Sodium benzoate                        #2072/41C: Rohm & Haas Formula N-24-1 + Melamine                               #2072/41D: Rohm & Haas Formula N-24-1 + 50/50 Sodium                           benzoate/melamine                                                              #2072/42A: Triple Life P-7616 No zinc, no cross-linker                         #2072/42B: Triple Life P-7616 + Sodium benzoate                                #2072/42C: Triple Life P-7616 + Melamine                                       #2072/42D: Triple Life P-7616 + 50/50 Sodium                                   benzoate/melamine                                                              ______________________________________                                    

The polymer based formulas so identified are listed as follows, wherein the recited percentages are weight percents:

    ______________________________________                                         MORTON ILLUSTRATIVE FORMULA AA-417-A-1                                         (With and Without Non-Metallic Cross-Linkers)                                  #2072/40     A        B        C      D                                        ______________________________________                                         SMA Resin @ 15%                                                                              15.00%   15.00%   15.00%                                                                                15.00%                                  Tributoxyethyl                                                                              0.50     0.50     0.50   0.50                                     Phosphate                                                                      2-Pyrrolidone                                                                               1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     Carbitol     1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     Diethylene Glycol                                                                           1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     FC-134 @ 1%  0.25     0.25     0.25   0.25                                     Formaldehyde 0.10     0.10     0.10   0.10                                     Morton AA-417                                                                               28.20    28.20    28.20  28.20                                    Epoline E-10 Emul.                                                                          5.00     5.00     5.00   5.00                                     30%                                                                            Sodium Benzoate                                                                             --       1.00     --     0.50                                     Hexamethoxymethyl-                                                                          --       --       1.00   0.50                                     melamine                                                                       Soft Water   47.95    46.95    46.95  46.95                                                 100.00%  100.00%  100.00%                                                                               100.00%                                  ______________________________________                                    

    ______________________________________                                         ROHM & HAAS ILLUSTRATIVE FORMULA N-24-1                                        (With and Without Non-Metallic Cross-Linkers)                                  #2072/41     A        B        C      D                                        ______________________________________                                         Conrez @ 40%*                                                                                1.87%    1.87%    1.87%  1.87%                                   Tributoxyethyl                                                                              1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     Phosphate                                                                      Ethylene Glycol                                                                             4.00     4.00     4.00   4.00                                     Dibutyl Phthalate                                                                           1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     FC-129 @ 1%  0.40     0.40     0.40   0.40                                     Formaldehyde 0.15     0.15     0.15   0.15                                     Rhoplex B-924                                                                               31.58    31.58    31.58  31.58                                    Poly EM-40   5.63     5.63     5.63   5.63                                     Sodium Benzoate                                                                             --       1.00     --     0.50                                     Hexamethoxymethyl-                                                                          --       --       1.00   0.50                                     melamine                                                                       Soft Water   54.37    53.37    53.37  53.37                                                 100.00%  100.0%   100.00%                                                                               100.00%                                  ______________________________________                                          *MORTON CHEMICAL                                                         

    ______________________________________                                         PUREX FORMULA WHICH DOES NOT CONTAIN ZINC                                      (With and Without Non-Metallic Cross-Linkers)                                  #2072/42     A        B        C      D                                        ______________________________________                                         SMA Resin @ 15%                                                                              13.80%   13.80%   13.80%                                                                                13.80%                                  Tributoxyethyl                                                                              1.20     1.20     1.20   1.20                                     Phosphate                                                                      n-Methyl     1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     2-Pyrrolidone                                                                  FC-128 @ 1%  1.00     1.00     1.00   1.00                                     Formaldehyde 0.10     0.10     0.10   0.10                                     PM 292 Styrene                                                                              22.50    22.50    22.50  22.50                                    Acrylic Copolymer @                                                            40%                                                                            Epolene E-10 9.90     9.90     9.90   9.90                                     Emul @ 30%                                                                     Sodium Benzoate                                                                             --       1.00     --     0.50                                     Hexamethoxymethyl-                                                                          --       --       1.00   0.50                                     melamine                                                                       Soft Water   50.50    49.50    49.50  49.50                                                 100.00%  100.00%  100.00%                                                                               100.00%                                  ______________________________________                                          *Purex Industries Inc. polymer that contains no metal ions               

In the above formula series 2072/42, there is no metallic, as for example zinc, ion; however, in the formula series 2072/40 the MORTON AA-417 contains zinc ion, and in 2072/41 the RHOPLEX B-924 contains zinc ion.

In further testing, it is found that the weight percentage of cross-linking agent or agents should be at least about 0.5% and no greater than about 3.0%. The best level is about 1.0%, for optimum results.

Test results, in terms of leveling, scuff resistance, slip resistance, water resistance, powdering and film gloss, with respect to the above formulations, are as shown in TABLE II:

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Performance Evaluation of Polishes-With and Without Non-Metallic               Cross-Linking Agents                                                           Performance Ratings *After Dry High Speed Buffing With a White Polishing       Pad                                                                                Contains                    60°                                                                            Depth of Gloss                              Non-Metallic                                                                          Scuff                Gloss After                                                                           Rating After Powdering                                                                             1                   Pro-                                                                               Cross-Linking                                                                         Resis-                                                                              Scratch                                                                              Water     Dry High                                                                              Dry High     75° F.                                                                         Week                duct                                                                               Agents tance                                                                               Resistance                                                                           Resistance                                                                               Speed Buffing                                                                         Speed Buffing                                                                          Leveling                                                                            (unbuffed)                                                                            125°         __________________________________________________________________________                                                                F.                  #2072                                                                          /40A                                                                               No     Excellent                                                                           Excellent                                                                            Recovers in 15-20                                                                        58/60/61/62                                                                           Excellent                                                                              Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /40B                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Excellent+                                                                           Recovers in 15-20                                                                        74/74/70/69                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /40C                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Superior                                                                             Immediate recovery                                                                       69/71/74/74                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                  /40D                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Superior                                                                             Immediate recovery                                                                       72/72/68/70                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                  #2072                                                                          /41A                                                                               No     Excellent                                                                           Good  Recovers in 15-20                                                                        84/84/83/84                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /41B                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Very Good                                                                            Recovers in 15-20                                                                        86/86/86/87                                                                           Outstanding                                                                            Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /41C                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Very Good                                                                            Immediate recovery                                                                       85/85/84/84                                                                           Outstanding                                                                            Excellent                                                                           None   OK                  /41D                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Very Good                                                                            Immediate recovery                                                                       85/84/87/87                                                                           Outstanding                                                                            Excellent                                                                           None   OK                  #2072                                                                          /42A                                                                               No     Excellent                                                                           Excellent                                                                            Requires light                                                                           75/78/76/76                                                                           Excellent+                                                                             Excellent                                                                           Trace  OK                                        buffing after 15-20                                                            mins. to recover                                         /42B                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Excellent                                                                            Recovers in 15-20                                                                        78/77/76/75                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /42C                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Excellent                                                                            Recovers in 15-20                                                                        78/78/80/80                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    /42D                                                                               Yes    Superior                                                                            Excellent                                                                            Recovers in 15-20                                                                        77/77/80/76                                                                           Superior                                                                               Excellent                                                                           None   OK                                        mins.                                                    __________________________________________________________________________      *Performance Rankings                                                          Outstanding = Best                                                             Superior                                                                       Excellent                                                                      Very Good                                                                      Good = Worst                                                                   **All films showed slight whitening upon removal of a water drop from the      surface. Whitening disappeared (recovered) after the indicated times or        treatments, e.g., light buffing.                                         

Finally, the presence of the methylated melamine or sodium benzoate ingredients in a floor polish film produces flash cross-linking of the film to the substrate or floor surface as a result of the high frictional heat of the ultra high speed buffing (1,500-2,400 RPM), or high speed buffing (1,000-1,500 RPM), whereby superior adherence of the film to the substrate is produced. The film is rendered ultra-high speed buffable without unwanted removal from the substrate by tearing, powdering or burnoff during such high speed buffing. Floor polish films containing the non-metallic cross-linking agent can subsequently be ultra-high speed dry buffed in unusually short periods of time follownig application, i.e., after as little as 30-45 minutes following application, with no powdering, or at most, minimum powdering. 

We claim:
 1. A floor polish containing a polymer of waxy film forming agent and a cross-linking ingredient for use in producing a toughened, mar-resistant floor film as by application to an uncoated floor surface or to an already formed floor surface film and buffing of the floor surface film with the polish thereon to heat the polish and surface film and produce cross-linking with the film surface, said polish containing between about 0.5 and 3.0 weight percent of said cross-linking ingredient selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate and methylated melamine, said polish adjacent a floor surface and cross-linked with said surface, said cross-linking defined by oxygen group bridging, said polish consisting essentially of:

    ______________________________________                                                             Range of                                                   Ingredient          wt. percent                                                ______________________________________                                         (a)    water emulsion acrylic                                                                           5.0-90.0%                                                    styrene acrylic, vinyl                                                         acetate-acrylic                                                         (b)    water soluble solvent                                                                           0.5-6.0%                                               (c)    non-ionic surfactant                                                                            0.1-2.0%                                               (d)    volatile amine   0.1-3.0%                                               (e)    humectant        0.1-4.0%                                               (f)    cross-linking agent                                                                              .5-3.0%                                                      selected from group                                                            that includes methylated                                                       melamine and sodium                                                            benzoate                                                                (g)    ammonia          0.1-2.0                                                (h)    water            balance                                                ______________________________________                                    


2. The polish of claim 1 wherein the weight percentage of said cross-linking ingredient is about 1.0%.
 3. The polish of claim 1 which is wax based.
 4. The polish of claim 1 which is polymer based.
 5. The polish of claim 1 wherein said cross-linking ingredient consists of sodium benzoate, which constitutes between 0.5 and 1.0 weight percent of the composition.
 6. The polish of claim 1 wherein said cross-linking ingredient consists of methylated melamine, which constitutes between about 0.5 and 1.0 weight percent of the composition. 